SUBJECT:     APPROVAL OF BUSINESS TERMS FOR AN ACQUISITION/ PREDEVELOPMENT LOAN, CONDITIONAL LOAN AND FUND RESERVATION TO CHARITIES HOUSING DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, OR ITS DESIGNATED AFFILIATE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE PROPOSED HOMESAFE-SAN JOSE APARTMENTS

 

COUNCIL DISTRICT:  5

 

 

RECOMMENDATION

 

It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution approving business terms for:

 

1.         An acquisition/predevelopment loan of up to $1,230,478.00 and a conditional loan of up to $750,000 to Charities Housing Development Corporation (CHDC), or its designated affiliate for the development of the 25-unit HomeSafe-San Jose housing project affordable to extremely low-income households.

2.                  Approving an additional fund reservation of up to $2,519,522 for construction financing for the project.

 

BACKGROUND

 

On March 28, 2001, CHDC completed its application to the Housing Department for the development of a 25-unit housing project consisting of four studio units and twenty one-bedroom units affordable to extremely low-income households and one unrestricted two-bedroom manager’s unit. The sponsor is seeking City financing to purchase the site and finance predevelopment costs in the short term, and additional funding for construction at a later date.

 

A City commitment of funding is necessary at the present time to purchase the land by the June 15, 2001 deadline required in the purchase agreement, and to provide additional predevelopment funding.

 

ANALYSIS

 

The proposed project will be constructed on a 1.09-acre site located on the southerly terminus  of Kentucky Place, south of Alum Rock Avenue.  The land purchase price of $1,400,000 was determined by the sponsor using recent values found in appraisals of nearby property at the time that the sponsor entered into a purchase contract in May 2000.  An appraisal ordered by the sponsor, which is due to be completed by June 6, 2001, is expected to confirm that this is an appropriate purchase price.

 

The sponsor will be seeking permanent financing for the project from the 9% Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program.  The  sponsor will apply for a 9% tax credit allocation on June 15, 2001.

 

The sponsor intends to utilize City funds for the acquisition of the land, predevelopment costs and construction financing.  The Housing Department is recommending that the City provide financing of approximately $1,400,000 for land acquisition and approximately $580,478 for anticipated predevelopment expenses.  Staff is also recommending an additional fund reservation of up to $2,519,522 for construction costs.  When the sponsor secures construction and permanent financing commitments, staff will return to the City Council for approval of construction financing terms.

 

For the City’s construction loan, the Housing Department currently anticipates that the City will provide total financing of $4,500,000, of which $3,750,000 will consist of a loan ($2,250,000 from HOME and $1,500,000 from the Housing Department’s 20% Funds) and the remaining $750,000 will consist of a conditional loan from the Redevelopment Agency’s 20% Supplement Funds to the Housing Department to subsidize extremely low-income (ELI) units.  Once the project is completed, the Housing Department anticipates repayment of the $1,500,000 of 20% Funds from other sources of funding the sponsor will be applying for (tax credits, state funds and contributions).

 

Since the property is located in the Alum Rock Avenue Redevelopment Project Area, 15% of the units in the development must be restricted to moderate- and very low-income households.  It is City Council policy that the City loan not subsidize these 15% inclusionary housing units. The sponsor will be subsidizing the inclusionary units through a mix of other lender financing and equity funding.

 

In accordance with the Replacement Housing Plan, Downtown Development Projects, adopted by the Redevelopment Agency Board in January 2000 and the Replacement Housing Plan, Hellyer-Piercy Improvement District, adopted by the Redevelopment Agency Board in February 2001 ("Plans"), the 24 units affordable to extremely low-income households to be constructed as a part this development are to be designated as available to satisfy the Agency's Replacement Housing obligation as described in the Plans.

 

The attached fact sheets detail the proposed business terms for the City’s acquisition and predevelopment loan.

 

RELOCATION

 

The site is occupied by six small businesses, which rent the site as a storage facility for their materials.  The sponsor hired a consultant, Crossroads Relocation R/W, which is completing a relocation plan that will meet the City’s relocation obligation as required by federal and State Law.  Based on the consultant’s analysis, the relocation estimate is $20,000.00

 

PUBLIC OUTREACH

 

On April 9, 2001, the project sponsor held a community meeting at the Eastside Neighborhood Center.  Members of the City Planning Department and a representative from the Council District were among the attendees. PD rezoning is agendized for Planning Commission consideration on May 23, 2001.

 

COORDINATION

 

Preparation of this memorandum was coordinated with the Office of the City Attorney and the Department of Planning and Building and Code Enforcement.

 

COST IMPLICATIONS

 

Funds for the project are available from the HOME Investment Partnership Act and Low- and Moderate-Income Housing Fund in the Housing Department’s Fiscal Year 2000-2001 budget and from the Redevelopment Agency’s 20% Supplement Funds to the Housing Department for the ELI units.

 

CEQA

 

Under the HOME federal funding requirements and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), an Environmental Assessment (EA) report was completed and a public notice of Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) and Notice of Intent to Request Release of Funds (RROF) was published on May 13, 2001.  The 30-day citizen participation process, which will allow the public to review and comment on the EA is expected to be completed by June 11, 2001.

 

 

LESLYE CORSIGLIA

Acting Director of Housing

 

 

HomeSafe-San Jose Apartments

Fact Sheet

 

Development Team

 

Developer:                                            CHDC, or its designated affiliate

Architect:                                              Studio E Architects

Contractor:                                           To be determined

Property Manager:                                InnVision

 

Project Characteristics

 

Project Location:                                  Southerly terminus of Kentucky Place, south of Alum Rock Avenue

Acreage:                                               1.09 acres

Council District:                                    5

Project Type:                                        Family Rental

Group Served:                                      Extremely low-income women and children

Number of Units:                                  24 extremely low-income and 1 unrestricted manager’s unit

Bedroom Mix and Monthly Rent:                                        STUDIO       1   BR           2   BR____

                                                            ELI (30% AMI)   4 @ $430     20 @ $450

                                                            Unrestricted                                                      1 Mgr Unit

Other Amenities:                                   Elevators, furnished community room, TV room, lounge, exercise room.

 

Estimated Total Project Cost:                $7,055,316

 

Estimated Cost Per Unit:                       $282,213

Anticipated City Subsidy

   at Permanent Loan:                            up to $2,250,000

Anticipated City Subsidy

   per Unit at Permanent Loan:               $150,000 (excluding 15% inclusionary units)

Anticipated Subsidy for

  Conditional Loan:                               $750,000

Anticipated Subsidy per Unit

  For Conditional Loan:                         $150,000

Anticipated Leverage Per Unit

   at Permanent Loan:                            1.35 to 1

Anticipated Leverage Per Unit

  For Conditional Loan:                         1.35 to 1

Land Appraised Value:                         Expected to be less than $1,400,000; to be confirmed by an appraisal prepared by CB Ellis Richard, Inc. due June 6, 2001.

 

Acquisition/Predevelopment Loan and Conditional Loan Terms and Conditions

 

Conditional Loan Amount:                    $750,000

Term:                                                   55 Years, or End of Term of Affordability restrictions

Interest Rate:                                        Zero-Interest

Security:                                               Recorded Second Deed of Trust

Repayment:                                          No repayment required if property remains in compliance with the 55-year affordability restrictions

Loan to Value:                                      Less than 141%

Affordability Restrictions:                      55-Year Affordability Restrictions for 24 extremely low-income units to be recorded on the property at the time of acquisition, and may be subordinated as permitted by State law (includes 4 ELI units required by redevelopment inclusionary requirement).

 

Acquisition/Predevelopment

   Loan Amount:                                    $1,230,478

Term:                                                   24 months

Interest Rate:                                        2% simple

Security:                                               Recorded First Deed of Trust

Repayment:                                          Proposed City Construction Loan

Loan to Value:                                      Less than 88%

Recourse:                                             The City’s Acquisition/Predevelopment loan will be recourse.

Subordination:                                      As allowed by State law

Affordability Restrictions:                      55-year Affordability Restrictions for 24 of the units to be recorded on the entire property at the time of acquisition, and may be subordinated as permitted by State law (includes 4 ELI units required by redevelopment inclusionary requirement).

 

Conditions:

 

1.                  At the time of closing of the City's Acquisition/Predevelopment loan and the Conditional Loan for this project, no default is present under any loan documents executed by CHDC or any of its affiliates.

2.                  Satisfaction of all pre-funding terms and conditions as per the City’s executed Acquisition/Predevelopment Loan Agreement and Conditional Loan Agreement between the City and the Borrower.

3.                  The City’s future permanent loan commitment shall be contingent on the Borrower’s ability to maximize all available financing sources, i.e., senior permanent loan, grants and tax credits.

4.                  At the end of the term of the 55-year Affordability Restrictions, at which time the Restrictions are still in effect and the Borrower is in compliance with the Restrictions, the Conditional Loan shall convert to a grant effective on the expiration date of the Restrictions.

5.                  Borrower shall submit an application to the State of California Tax Credit Allocation Committee (TCAC) for the June 15, 2001 funding round .

6.                  In the event the project does not receive a 9% tax credit allocation from TCAC, the Borrower must provide an alternative financing structure that is acceptable to the Housing Department.

7.                  Borrower shall submit a relocation plan acceptable to City prior to closing the City’s Acquisition/Predevelopment Loan and the Conditional Loan.

8.                  Receipt of an appraisal acceptable to the Housing Department which supports $1,400,000 acquisition price.

 

Conditions on Reservation of HOME Funds

 

1.         No adverse public comments on the RROF are received by 5:00 on June 11, 2001.

 

Planning Issues

 

GP Designation:                                    General Commercial

PD Rezoning Status:                             June 5, 2001

PD Permit Status                                  Pending

Building Permits:                                   Pending

Article XXXIV Status:                          Authority from Measure D (1994) is available

Toxics Issues:                                       Phase I Environmental Site Assessment was completed on June 16, 2000 by Terrasearch, Inc.  The report recommends that further environmental assessment is warranted and should include soil sampling for presence of petroleum hydrocarbons.  A Phase II completed on May 12, 2000 by Terrasearch, Inc. revealed that the presence of petroleum hydrocarbons is limited to the soil surface level which  impacted the groundwater by low levels of oil and grease,  considered below action levels. 

On March 28, 2001, William Dubovsky completed the site remediation which consisted of removal of hydrocarbon and lead impacted soil. 

 

 

Estimated Project Development Timeline

 

 

June 5, 2001                                        Anticipated PD Rezoning Approval

 

June 12, 2001                                      Anticipated City Council Approval of Business Terms for an Acquisition/Predevelopment Loan and Conditional Loan

 

June 13, 2001                                      Anticipated Close of Acquisition/Predevelopment Loan and Conditional Loan

 

June 15, 2001                                      Anticipated Application for 9% Tax Credits

 

December 2001                                   Anticipated Close of City Construction Loan

 

January 2002                                        Anticipated Start of Construction

 

March  2003                                        Anticipated Completion of Construction